Campaigners thought they had saved Walnuttree Hospital

Suffolk West Primary Care Trust (PCT) is recommending closing the Walnuttree Hospital in Sudbury.

It is part of a plan aimed at cutting debts of nearly �20m run up by health trusts in West Suffolk and will be considered by the PCT board on 29 June.

Last year's closure threat was lifted when managers set aside �300,000 so the hospital could meet fire regulations.

High-profile campaign

Campaigners fighting to keep the former Victorian workhouse which provides special care for up to 68 elderly people mounted a high-profile Hands Off Our Hospital campaign, which included a lobby of 10 Downing Street and a 10,000 signature petition.

The new threat comes in West Suffolk Primary Care Trust's financial recovery plan which will be put to the board and the West Suffolk Hospital NHS Trust on 29 June.

PCT chief executive Mike Stonard said the recommendations may not sit comfortably with staff, patients and members of the public but the debt, which grew by �9m in the past year, had to be brought under control.

Proposals include closing all community beds in Sudbury and Newmarket hospitals.

The number of jobs which would go would depend on the board's decisions.